Shortcomings

[xStrayKnightx]

My Kaalia deck has one huge issue. It fairs just fine against anything that doesn't contain blue or green. My creatures are always tapped down, destroyed, exiled or they get removed from my control. I desperately need help in trying to dodge this. Here's the deck list:

Kaalia Unchained 100 cards, 3 sideboard 1 {Kaalia of the Vast} 1 {Vivid Marsh} 1 {Vivid Meadow} 1 {Vivid Crag} 1 {Dragonskull Summit} 1 {Akoum Refuge} 1 {Rakdos Carnarium} 1 {Opal Palace} 1 {Command Tower} 1 {Temple of the False God} 1 {Shinka, the Bloodsoaked Keep} 4 {Swamp} 1 {Blackcleave Cliffs} 1 {Vault of the Archangel} 1 {Clifftop Retreat} 1 {Blood Crypt} 1 {Sacred Foundry} 1 {Temple of Triumph} 4 {Plains} 3 {Mountain} 1 {Isolated Chapel} 1 {Boros Garrison} 1 {Godless Shrine} 1 {Temple of Silence} 1 {Orzhov Basilica} 1 {Shizo, Death's Storehouse} 33 lands 1 {Treasury Thrull} 1 {Rakdos, Lord of Riots} 1 {Steel Hellkite} 1 {Angelic Arbiter} 1 {Reya Dawnbringer} 1 {Bogardan Hellkite} 1 {Charmbreaker Devils} 1 {Underworld Cerberus} 1 {Baneslayer Angel} 1 {Karmic Guide} 1 {Angel of Finality} 1 {Iona, Shield of Emeria} 1 {Angelic Skirmisher} 1 {Reaper from the Abyss} 1 {Admonition Angel} 1 {Angel of Serenity} 1 {Rune-Scarred Demon} 1 {Indomitable Archangel} 1 {Harvester of Souls} 1 {Avacyn, Angel of Hope} 1 {Elesh Norn, Grand Cenobite} 1 {Ashen Rider} 1 {Archangel of Strife} 1 {Balefire Dragon} 1 {Ob Nixilis, the Fallen} 1 {Lord of the Void} 1 {Lord of Shatterskull Pass} 1 {Aurelia, the Warleader} 1 {Gisela, Blade of Goldnight} 1 {Thundermaw Hellkite} 1 {Urabrask the Hidden} 1 {Sheoldred, Whispering One} 1 {Sunblast Angel} 33 creatures 1 {Diabolic Revelation} 1 {Everflowing Chalice} 1 {Aurelia's Fury} 1 {Sol Ring} 1 {Merciless Eviction} 1 {Painful Quandary} 1 {Beseech the Queen} 1 {Strionic Resonator} 1 {Dual Casting} 1 {Beacon of Immortality} 1 {Akroma's Memorial} 1 {Tempt with Immortality} 1 {Curse of the Cabal} 1 {Lightning Greaves} 1 {Swiftfoot Boots} 1 {Temporal Extortion} 1 {Increasing Ambition} 1 {Witchbane Orb} 1 {Sword of Kaldra} 1 {Conjurer's Closet} 1 {Quicksilver Amulet} 1 {Gilded Lotus} 1 {Decree of Pain} 1 {Price of Knowledge} 1 {Crypt Incursion} 1 {Dash Hopes} 1 {Orzhov Signet} 1 {Boros Signet} 1 {Rakdos Signet} 1 {Comet Storm} 30 other spells Sideboard 1 {Heroes' Podium} 1 {Temple of Malice} 1 {Thran Dynamo} 3 sideboard cards

[Kaleo42]

Ok so let me start by saying I do believe Kaalia should be banned as a commander because I do not believe in having any kind of {omniscience} as a commander (looking at you too {zur the enchanter}).

Next most successful versions of these I have seen are either very much tribal and tutor or very much control with creatures that nearly end the game by themselves. You seem half way inbetween the two and these halfway decks are prey to blue control and green well-focused ramp. So which one do you want to lean towards?

[xStrayKnightx]

I'm not entirely sure. I come up against both colours a lot, and they get me every time, especially if they're combined. I'm looking for opinions, so what do you think?

[Kaleo42]

These cards seem out of place.

{charmbreaker devils} Not a demon and a creature based commander probably shouldn't need this type of effect.
{underworld cerberus} Probably going to backfire more than help, also not a demon
{everflowing chalice} There are better mana artifacts and more relevant cards
{dual casting} same as charmbreakers
{beacon of immortality} double a lot is win more, double a small amount isn't impactful
{temporal extortion} funny, but 40 life starting is an okay format to pay half and not end up hurting for it
{price of knowledge} expensive, not a creature, and possibly helps opponents
{dash hopes} 5 life is nothing

Cards I feel should be included or considered

{liliana vess} tutor and constant value
{gideon jura} removal, protection, and can give kaalia a clear path
{unburial rites} why not
{avacyn, angel of hope} amazing stabilizer
{Gisela, blade of goldnight} amazing wincon
{spiteful visions} combo's well with gisela and keeps your hand full while punishing opponents
{thundermaw hellkite} great planeswalker killer
{hellkite tyrant} hilarious and a serious threat
{terminus} very helpful to have access to
{dimensional breach} your threats are so powerful that you could win before they rebuild, use wisely
{path to exile} and {swords to plowshares} auto includes for white

[Kaleo42]

Is {{Master of Cruelties}} to gimmicky?

Not at all. Kaalia actually cheats wins with him.

[xStrayKnightx]

There is no way I'd ever play Master if Cruelties. Or Hellkite Tyrant, for that matter.

The other cards aren't such a bad idea though. I might look into it.

[Kaleo42]

There is no way I'd ever play Master if Cruelties. Or Hellkite Tyrant, for that matter.

The other cards aren't such a bad idea though. I might look into it.

Why not? If you want to play fair it's already too late once you add Iona to the list.

[xStrayKnightx]

I don't like insta-kill combos or win condition cards. My own personal thing. XD

[Kaleo42]

Ok no master I understand, but tyrant is funny at least and shuts off most blue insta wins.

At very least add {hoard smelter dragon}

[xStrayKnightx]

It's not artifacts that are killing me, though.

[Kaleo42]

Blue often uses artifacts to function fully. Can you be more specific on what issues youre running into?

Please run smelter regardless, its a red edh auto include in my mind.

[xStrayKnightx]

{Gather Specimens}, for example. Green anti-air, Blue control. Worst deck for me is a Riku deck that's also spell heavy.

[Kaleo42]

{grand arbiter} seems good

[Gorzo]

{Grand Abolisher} you mean? That would certainly help against blue!

If Control-taking effects like {Gather Specimens} are really common for your opponents, I recommend swapping out a land for {Homeward Path}. Take it back whenever you want for a measly tapping of one land.

{Whispersilk Cloak} is a great way to get Kaalia past reach or flying blockers. Sure it's a little more mana than {swiftfoot boots}, but it packs a much higher value in a deck like this. Who needs cheap haste? Your creatures come in tapped and attacking anyway.

A bit of spot removal might be nice, too. {Terminate} is one of the best removal spells there is, and just happens to fit your colors. A few kill spells up your sleeve to stop that anti-flier or two causing you trouble might be just what you need.

[Kaleo42]

{Grand Abolisher} you mean? That would certainly help against blue!

If Control-taking effects like {Gather Specimens} are really common for your opponents, I recommend swapping out a land for {Homeward Path}. Take it back whenever you want for a measly tapping of one land.

{Whispersilk Cloak} is a great way to get Kaalia past reach or flying blockers. Sure it's a little more mana than {swiftfoot boots}, but it packs a much higher value in a deck like this. Who needs cheap haste? Your creatures come in tapped and attacking anyway.

yes this^